Stumbling

I’m currently working on a new series of abstract self-portraits, called Stumbling. In which I continue my research into the ‘in-between’ experience and how I can communicate this with the viewer. In my abstract self-portraits I paint the doubt and search for a peace of mind from my obsessive perfectionism and unrest in contradictions. However, I do not believe in one truth (such as peace) and experience the moment in-between as sublime. I work process-based towards this connecting and contradicting moment and challenge the viewer to experience this in all layers (such as a love-hate feeling).

Now (in the Coronacrisis) the essence of my work comes to light even more: in which humanity has never been so connected by appropriate distance. I feel the strong need to take the viewer into this process so that it broadens my and their perspective. From small variations in patterns to the increasing polarization, my work mirrors the everyday controlled chaos. In the ‘in-between’ experience, the uncertain moment counts as sublime, in which various opposing answers can coexist and together they exceed thinking in black-and-white terms. In this series I explore amongst others the boundaries of different lines, like straight against wavy, or between pattern vs. breakthrough, color vs. white and painting vs. print. In addition to these paintings, I share the complete process of ‘Stumbling’ on social media.

The first painting I recently finished is black and white, with a touch of burnt umber. Now I’m working on a smaller green version and a new type of clash-painting with an abundance of colors.